Praful Patel Biography

Post the announcement of the interim budget, several chief Marketing officers along with other social and digital media platforms are working in synchronization, to chalk out the best measures for the success of the Automobile Industry. Among those platforms are growing ranks of brand advocates and detractors who have a growing influence on purchase decisions as they share their purchase and ownership experiences through text, photo and video postings on their personal networks. The social media ecosystem will now allow consumers to share their experience on several products and services on a national platform, through ‘Social Selling.’ This digital blueprint happens to be an initiative taken by PWC. Heavy Industries Minister Praful Patel should be elated, witnessing the seamless proceedings of the industry. The digital blueprint will also be providing reports on customer-dealer relationships. To eventually encourage transaction, the customers, dealers and the suppliers will also be giving their feedbacks, on several intricacies related to the industry. Even if the whole scheme does not pump up the sales of the Automobile Industry, it will atleast make way for clarity between the buyers and the sellers, thereby fostering the ethical growth of the Automobile Industry in India. 

Social Selling aims to cover various aspects of the Indian Automobile Industry. However, the areas where maximum emphasis will be laid upon have been listed below: 

• The third era : infinite communications
• Buyers exposed to influences and disruptors via social media during every stage of purchase
• Social selling in digital ecosystem
• Loyalty and advocacy : Good vs. bad conversation affect brand preferences and purchasing    
• Conversations are happening – what happens to automakers if they do nothing?
• Listening to the analytics and using them
• Transforming organization for digital readiness

Now that the stage is set for the Automobile Industry to surge ahead, Praful Patel’s contributions would be of sheer importance. Even when the industry was witnessing a lax in its events and procedures, Patel made enough efforts, to bring the industry back on track. Praful Patel, along with the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Anand Sharma, had shouldered the responsibility of seeking permission from the Cabinet Ministers, to conduct the Auto Expo 2014 New Delhi, at Pragati Maidan. The aim was to remove constraints of space and provide the Automobile Industry with a larger platform, to showcase its hardwork and talent. As expected, Auto Expo 2014 was a grand success. The top car manufacturers from all across the globe had come to witness the event. Individuals, who had termed the auto Expo to be a farce in the last edition, were compelled to take back their own words. Industry giants also went on to compare the show, with the car shows that are conducted in Frankfurt, Tokyo and Geneva. 

As far as Social Selling is concerned, it is still in its primary stage of evolution. We are still in the early days of taking a call on the success of this digital platform. However, atleast for now, the Automobile Industry can certainly make it work to its advantage. NCP Leader Praful Patel will also be making efforts, to ensure that purpose of this platform is served. Individuals who form an integral part of the Automobile Industry have already named it as a mainstream method of purchasing. It seems that this program is already bearing its effect. From here, it would be interesting to see, how long does it last. In retrospection, the platform would also require adaptive organizational design to meet the needs of fast changing technology and user expectations.